Autocracy, Inc

Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum is a sharp and incisive exploration of the rise of authoritarian regimes in the modern world. In this thought-provoking work, Applebaum examines the tactics, mechanisms, and interconnected networks that allow autocratic governments to flourish in the 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of historical and contemporary examples, from Russia to Hungary to China, she explores how these regimes operate like well-organized businesses—focused on consolidating power, suppressing dissent, and manipulating public opinion. Applebaum delves into the role of elites, oligarchs, and state-controlled media in maintaining autocratic control, while also investigating how global institutions and democracies respond—or fail to respond—to these threats. With her expertise in geopolitics and history, Applebaum offers a compelling and chilling look at the global shift toward autocracy, urging readers to consider the dangerous implications for both national sovereignty and international stability. Autocracy, Inc. is essential reading for anyone concerned about the erosion of democratic values in the face of rising authoritarianism.